Letâs face it, replacing a catalytic converter can be expensive. Whilst there are ways to clean your catalytic converter using substances, you should stay away from lacquer thinner because you can end up damaging your engine. Let me add here that the original criticism here of the lacquer thinner was that it would seriously harm the fuel system. However, modern converters have unique construction so this old method is no longer suitable. If still dirty or clogged, put it back in for another couple of hours. how's the best way to clean a catalytic converter? If you usually use low-octane fuel, then try using high-octane fuel for a few days. If the Cataclean does not work on your catalytic converter, try putting in Lacquer thinner. This will remove some of the contamination on the substrate to perhaps turn off the check engine light TEMPORARILY. The Cataclean is only suitable for catalytic converters that might have run with some burnt oil before. Also, i have read that a solution to clean the Cat converter is to put lacquer thinner in the gas tank and run it through, would that be a good safe solution? Actually â you can run your car without a catalytic converter. Another option for unclogging your catalytic converter is by adding one gallon of lacquer thinner to ten gallons of gas. I wouldnât shove anything other than petrol in my tank in a modern car, just isnât worth the risk of damaging sensors or causing premature wear due to washing the bores with a solvent, also risking damaging the valve stem oil seals. After 2 other attempts to clean my catalytic converters Iâve decided to try sodium hydroxide this time. Get lacquer thinner to clean the impurities inside the catalytic converter If the gas tank is half full, pour in a gallon of lacquer thinner inside the gas tank Now you want to run the car at 150 miles so that the lacquer thinner can begin to clean the impurities There is no standard formulation for lacquer thinner, and they vary considerably. IIRC I used a gallon of lacquer thinner to about 1/3 tank of gasoline (of my '96 Accord). My wifes Gmc Terrain has a code that its below efficiency. Some people also make use of lacquer thinner in a 1:10 gallon ratio. The cleaner will not repair cracked, broken or too clogged catalytic converters. This method involves pouring a gallon of lacquer thinner into the gas tank, preferably with a half tank of gasoline. Do that for half an hour to clean the catalytic converter. I also bought Eastern Catalytic converter as ⦠Its like several fule injector cleaners at once. So if thereâs a way to clean them, Iâm sure youâd rather try that first before paying good money for a new one. Well, I looked around the net and on Youtube, they have a couple of dozen videos of people putting in a gal of lacquer paint thinner in a half tank of gas then driving it steady down the interstate until it all is used up. Clean the Actual Catalytic Converter. The thinner may damage the converter internal material, as well as damage the oxygen sensors behind the catalyst. Once youâre done, you can hose it down, making sure to clean the crevasses and tiny holes. I was also going to use a quart in a very low fuel tank, not a gallon, so it didnât stay in there long. Like the other two mentioned above, lacquer thinners are petroleum-based solvents that are used to dissolve, dilute, and clean surfaces and paintbrushes. The best way to clean your catalytic converter is to take it out and use soap to clean it. Your catalytic converter should be unclogged after a few days. I am not sure who would have told you to clean or unclog the converter out with lacquer thinner, but that is not a very good idea, and you shouldnât do it. A catalytic converter is an important device that makes up the exhaust system of a vehicle. The fuel additives and high-octane fuel should be utilized in conjunction with the Italian tune-up. Put it in container of lacquer thinner for a couple hours. May 12, 2019 - Catalytic converter cleaner. ⦠Why are you asking this in the first place? Paint Lacquer or Thinner in Your Gas Tank. In fact, they are very similar to paint thinners in many ways. Last Post RSS. If there are mechanical issues with the catalytic converter, the Cataclean will not work and might damage your CAT. You might have seen guides for running lacquer or paint thinner through your gas tank to unclog a catalytic converter. Then like Willie says, I "drove it like I stole it" for about 10 miles and the check engine light went away. The P0420 is from the bank 1 catalytic converter and the P0430 is from the bank 2 cat on a V engine. Start the engine and ⦠This is the last resort. The main thing you want to do is drive it reasonably hard. This method involves a little handy-work since youâll have to remove your catalytic converter ⦠Seen videos where they pour a gallon of this stuff in gas tank and sometimes work. He told me to change the other sensor first to see if that fixes the issue. Itâs not wise to use non-specific products, ones that arenât meant for cars, on your vehicle. Search for: Has anyone here tried the lacquer thinner to clean a catalytic converter?? Either put a brick on the accelerator so it idles at about 2200 RPM and put a giant fan in front of the car to make sure it doesnât overheat. A bad catalytic converter will reduce car performance, increase emission and decrease fuel efficiency. This does sometimes work, and it may save you some money. Typically, when your catalytic converter goes bad, you can expect to face a repair bill of around $900 to $2,500 to get your catalytic converter replaced. Catalytic converter clogged and problem code P0420. May be I need yo go with another gallon. Link to Scotty Kilmer's Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5icTmYItwiE After watching Scotty's video I was curious if it would actually work. Tap on your catalytic converter with a hammer to make sure there are no loose parts inside of it. A tune-up will likely help with the REASON the the catalytic converter plugged up (worn out plugs not burning fuel efficiently, sending unburnt fuel through the exhaust overheating the catalytic converters), but it will not fix the plugging problem. How to clean catalytic converter DIY with Scotty Kilmer. Lacquer Thinner. Could it be the other o2 sensor or a spark plug? Tap on your catalytic converter with a hammer to make sure there are no loose parts inside of it. Well, I looked around the net and on Youtube, they have a couple of dozen videos of people putting in a gal of lacquer paint thinner in a half tank of gas then driving it steady down the interstate until it all is used up. 28/11/2020 11:23 pm. Frankly these are ways to get around a code 420 catalytic efficiency issues. Solvents are frequently used in the automotive industry, but not in this manner. Topic starter Thank you for your time, I own a 1995 Ford F350 7.5 gas engine with 85000 miles. Nothinh wrong with lacquer thinner as that is also made out of petrolium distillates. Trying to avoid a costly repair. Did your CEL come on and the âputer threw a bad cat code? That happened to a few of my neighbors cars. I got the car inspected and it passed; after which I immediately filled my tank with gasoline to dilute the remaining lacquer thinner. How to clean catalytic converter DIY with Scotty Kilmer. Lacquer thinner is highly flammable, and the last thing you want is additional raw fuel burning in the converter. Leave it until the next day. If the converter is clogged, the only proper repair would be to replace it. Lacquer Thinner Msds, Customer Reviews Filed under News Tagged with and Catalytic , Cataclean , Converter , Engine , Oils & Fluids , Treatment- 16 oz. You can clean your catalytic converter in a bath of Lacquer thinner if you are removing it. Method 2: This may sound crazy, but you can reinvigorate an ailing catalytic converter by using lacquer thinner. You can clean your catalytic converter in a bath of lacquer thinner if you are removing it. Years ago everywhere I went with a different truck they told me a "NEEDED" a new catalytic converter, yea around $1,000 or so. Jul 15, 2014 - Link to Scotty Kilmer's Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5icTmYItwiEAfter watching Scotty's video I was curious if it would actually work. Lacquer thinner is a generic name made up of many different solvents. These are usually very effective in cleaning out catalytic converter deposits. Can fix actually has a miniature catalytic converter built inside.4. 0. I used scottys method and the check engine light went off for 550 miles. Check this link for Amazonâs version of lacquer thinner: Nanoskin (NA-LTR128) Lacquer Thinner â 1 Gallon. That is the main way they fail. Or, drive it ⦠Years ago everywhere I went with a different truck they told me a "NEEDED" a new catalytic converter, yea around $1,000 or so. Mar 9, 2019 - Catalytic converter cleaner. One such piece actually told people to add paint thinner to their fuel tanks or actually removing the converters and cleaning them in soap and water. The cleaner will not repair cracked, broken or excessively clogged catalytic converters. Bank 1 can be the left side or the right side of the engine when looking from the front of the car towards the engine, depending on different manufacturers, because their designated cylinder #1 may be on the left or the right. A bad catalytic converter will not damage your other car parts. I wouldnât. Catalytic converter clogged and problem code P0420. The internal combustion process that takes place in an engine produces lots of harmful gases, which, if released into the atmosphere, are very toxic to the ecosystem.. The O2 CEL fixture actually incorporates the M18X1.5 miniature catalytic converter, which helps to get rid of the modified exhaust or the inspection engine light after removing the catalytic converter.5. If you still think that your catalytic converter is clogged and it looks okay while inspecting it, you can try to clean it in a bath with water and lacquer thinner. People used to put lacquer thinner in the gas tank to remove clogs from the converter. 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